Ditching the Food Pyramid for the Food Plate

Published May 31, 2011 at 11:22 AM | Updated at 11:22 AM EDT on May 31, 2011

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The federal government is set to unveil a new logo to replace the current food pyramid that guides recommended nutritional intake for Americans.

The pyramid has been the familiar symbol of recommended food groups for the last two decades, but nutritionists have criticized it for being too confusing.

"A version of the pyramid currently appearing on cereal boxes, frozen dinners and other foods has been so streamlined and stripped of information that many people have no idea what it represents," the article states.

The new circular food plate is meant to be a clear, simple visual of the basics of a healthy diet. The New York Times reports the plate consists of four colored sections, for fruits, vegetables, grains and protein. Beside the plate is a smaller circle for dairy, suggesting a glass of low-fat milk or a yogurt cup.

The new image is meant to emphasize the Obama administration's healthy eating push: half the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables.